Important News & Announcement

Call for
abstracts for the First World Congress in Medellin, Colombia August
2015!

09
January 2015

Dear WCO supporter,

WCO and Federación Colombiana de Optómetras (FEDOPTO) have put the call
out for abstract submissions for The First World Congress taking place
in Medellin, Colombia from 14-16 August 2015.

Optometrists, vision scientists, optometry educators, researchers and
students can present their work on current clinical and basic science
advances, research and education. There is a limit of three abstracts
an individual may submit as main author but no limit as a co-author.
Members of WCO and FEDOPTO are particularly encouraged to apply.

The structure of the Congress includes: lectures and short
presentations, poster presentations and clinical workshops. Videos and
photography will complement the programme with a separate call for
submissions for these categories.

The posters will be displayed during the Congress and authors will be
required to be present at their posters on the day and times specified.
The organisers seek to individually accredit high quality posters
submitted.

The deadline for abstracts submission is Monday, 2 March 2015.
For further information, please visit our website where you can download
our abstracts guidelines.

With best wishes,
Lucy

WCO Governing Board meeting to take place in Trinidad and Tobago

The next WCO Governing Board meeting will take place in Trinidad and Tobago as part of the XXII Latin American Congress of Optometry and Optics 2014.

The congress runs from 31 October - 2 November at the Hyatt hotel in Port of Spain. The WCO is one of the four organisations hosting the congress. The other organisations include The Caribbean Optometrists Association (CARIOA), Trinidad & Tobago Optometric Association (TTOA), Asociación Latinoamericana de Optometría y Óptica (ALDOO) alongside.

The WCO Board meeting will take place 30 - 31 October.

WCO President wins Women of Achievement
Award

28 November 2013

Dr Susan Cooper, WCO President, has been recognised as a Women of
Achievement for contributions to Health science and technology by the Zonta
Club of Brampton-Caledon, Canada.

Each year, the Zonta Club recognizes the work of women who
exemplify traits of enterprise, leadership and community service. Eight
nominees were selected from all walks of life for being role models and for
inspiring other women.

Susan was recognised as a role-model for those wanting to pursue
a career in optometry and for her tireless efforts as President of the WCO and
collaboration efforts with the International Association for the Prevention of
Blindness. She was praised for her work to empower women around the world and
for being part of the Canadian Optometrist Bridging Program designed to help
internationally trained optometrists integrate into the profession in Canada.

Susan said: “It was always instilled in me that it’s important
to give back,” she said, adding her children are now doing the same.

“There are so many areas in the world that need vision care. So
much of it is avoidable blindness. A lot of my work as President of WCO
involves meeting with optometrists and government officials in the various
countries with the goal of improving the scope of practice and education.”

Susan was one of four women to receive an award at the ceremony
which took place at the Pearson Convention Centre last week.

Professor Brien Holden has been awarded the inaugural Optometry
Giving Sight Humanitarian Award in recognition for his outstanding contribution
in support of global efforts to help eliminate avoidable blindness and impaired
vision and reduce the disability, poverty and lack of opportunity associated
with vision loss.

Professor Holden received the award at a dinner held in Seattle,
USA, where he also announced that he would be stepping down as Executive Chair
of Optometry Giving Sight after 10 years.

“I am delighted to receive this award from my friends and
colleagues at Optometry Giving Sight,” said Professor Holden. “I have immensely
enjoyed the challenge of getting Optometry Giving Sight established as
optometry’s international charity of choice. I have enjoyed seeing the
dedication of the excellent people that work for the organization and the wonderful
response of the eye health community around the world. Colleagues in the
International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness and World Council of
Optometry have been extremely supportive.”

“Most importantly, I have been highly moved by the outstanding work
Optometry Giving Sight has done in stimulating the eye health community to
contribute enormously and effectively to the efforts to eliminate avoidable
blindness and impaired vision due to uncorrected refractive error.”

Professor Holden said that while he would stay on the Board, it
was now time for someone new to take on the role of Chair. He announced that
the Directors have elected Dr. Juan Carlos Aragon to succeed him as Chair of
Optometry Giving Sight.

“I can think of no one more worthy to take on this role than Dr.
Aragon,” said Professor Holden. “He has an outstanding track record in
mobilizing support for education projects related to optometry and contact
lenses; is well respected in the profession and industry; and has helped
mobilize significant support personally and professionally for Optometry Giving
Sight.”

“It is a great honour for me to take on this role,” said Dr.
Aragon. “Optometry Giving Sight has grown considerably over recent years and
now funds sustainable eye and vision care projects in more than 40 countries. I
applaud Professor Holden’s inspiring vision in helping to establish the
organization; his relentless efforts over the years in ensuring its continued
growth and development; and the incredible impact that our profession and
industry are having in the global efforts to give sight and hope to those in
need.

“I look forward to working with all my colleagues in the
industry and profession, as well as the current management and staff, fellow
Board and Committee members, and our donors and sponsors, to ensure that we
continue to mobilize the resources necessary to help eliminate refractive error
blindness and low vision.”

Optometry Giving Sight is the only global fundraising initiative
that specifically targets the prevention of blindness and impaired vision due
to uncorrected refractive error – simply the need for an eye examination and
glasses. It was created in 2003 as a means of mobilising resources from the
global optometric community to fund the development of sustainable eye and
vision care projects in communities where these do not currently exist. To date
it has provided funds to more than 67 projects in 38 countries in Asia, Africa
and the Americas.

Two UK optometry students have successfully completed a coveted
placement in Zambia with international development charity Vision Aid Overseas,
thanks to a bursary scheme set up by Irvine Aitchison, one of the founders of
Dollond & Aitchison.

Working alongside qualified optometrists, Ciara Hankin, 23, and
Janaka Sasitharan, 26, spent their time providing much-needed outreach services
in rural local communities, including training local nurses and dispensing
glasses to patients. Ciara is currently studying at Cardiff University, while
Janaka is based at City University in London.

The Irvine Aitchison Memorial Fund (IAMF) was set up in 1997
specifically to promote optical education opportunities, and gives second-year
optometry students the chance to volunteer with Vision Aid Overseas, enabling
them to experience eye care work in developing countries, encourage their team
building skills and increase their optical knowledge.

Since it was established, more than 36 students have benefited
from the IAMF bursary, while last year (2012), 41 students applied to the
scheme – the highest number yet.

Speaking of her experience, Ciara said: “After my two weeks in
Zambia, I can now appreciate just how valuable our optical services are here in
the UK. I saw pathology not seen at home, gained a better understanding of
treatments and developed my dispensing skills – if you can give somebody the
correct glasses in 40 degree heat without a shared language, you can do it
anywhere.”

Janaka added: “Working with Vision Aid Overseas has been a
wonderful experience. My project lasted two weeks, with ten days working in
different villages across Zambia, and it was a great opportunity to share
skills in a completely new and different environment, to people who need it
most. “

Watch
a recap of the VOSH International annual meeting

Videos of the key sessions presented at the VOSH International
annual meeting are now available to watch on the organisation’s website. The
meeting took place 9-11 October in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

The key sessions provide critical new information whilst
reviewing past accomplishments and new initiatives including VOSH Corps,
supported by the Brien Holden Vision Institute. VOSH Corps aims to build
capacity and sustainability in the countries where the organisation provides
support.

The following sessions were recorded and can be viewed on the
website:
• Welcome and President's Report
• Humanitarian of the Year
• VOSH Corps
• Eye Teach and Mentoring

All of the videos are downloadable, visit www.vosh.org for more information.

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Fellowship programme to fund eye care projects around the world

The World Council of Optometry (WCO) is set to hand out US$20,000 to optometrists around the world as part of our Fellowship programme.

Half of the funds available will be used to support innovative projects around the world that will improve vision and eye care, and optometric initiatives that tackle WCO’s priority areas: education; legislation, registration and standards; and public health.

The remaining US$10,000 will be allocated as travel bursaries to help optometrists and students attend optometric events or visit eye care institutions in other countries.